Neonatal Screening Laws Advance in Spain and Colombia

Spain's Congress approved the Ley de Cribado Neonatal, establishing a mandatory, updated newborn screening programme that will detect seven congenital diseases and ensure equitable access regardless of birthplace. The legislation was driven by the Federación Española de Enfermedades Raras (FEDER) with support from patient groups, health professionals and the public‑affairs firm Estrategos. Director Pablo Álvarez Pichel said the consultancy helped bring families' voices to parliament and facilitated dialogue with political parties.

In Colombia, health specialists and patient organisations are urging parents to demand the heel‑prick test before discharge, highlighting that coverage reached only 12.37 % of newborns in 2025. Geneticist Ignacio Zarante stressed that early detection of conditions such as congenital hypothyroidism, cystic fibrosis and phenylketonuria can prevent severe complications and save lives. The campaign, tied to International Neonatal Screening Day, calls for clearer information and stronger system responses to achieve universal coverage by 2026.